Wilcinskis

This is a name of Polish origin which derives from 'Wilk' meaning 'wolf' and was originally a personal name, one probably applied as a descriptive patronymic nickname to the son of a famous wolf hunter or warrior. The name origin is also found in the English 'Wilkin' (son of wolf), the German Wolk, the Czech 'Vik', and the Ukrainian 'Vovk'. In Polish names the suffix 'Ski' has a similar meaning to the German 'Von' and the French 'De', indicating Gentry Status - the Lord of the Manor or Estate. There are two Coats of Arms, the first being a white rose, backed in green, on a red field, the second a silver caltrap on a red field. The name in its 'English' form is first recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Northumberland in 1166 as Wilechin or Wilekinus, very close to the Polish. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Wilcinski of Posnia, which was dated circa 1580, Riestapps Armourial General for Poland, during the reign of Emperor Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire, 1576 - 1612. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.